Private Investigator Simon Smith of eVestigator looks at the potential real reason children and teenagers go missing
Announcement posted by eVestigator Cyber Forensic IT & Expert Witness Services 21 Oct 2016
Simon explores whether the use of non-prescribed drugs play some part in missing person cases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 21/10/2016
Mr. Simon Smith aka eVestigator, a popular a forensic Private Investigator comes across a range of issues in his specialised field. He is also a practicing Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Expert Witness. With this skill set he is sometimes faced with horror stories that "looking back" could have been avoided. Mr. Smith has investigated issues which involved child stealing, cults, missing persons and serious domestic disputes. He states that "depression" is often an underlying cause that somehow places people into these situations.
"I was devastated to hear the news of yet another missing person in my home suburb. It is also sad to see when children are dragged into family disputes involving parents", Mr. Smith said. "In my last case a young boy said things he shouldn't have known, I asked his mother to remove him". This case involved the abuse of a different type of drug. This prompted Mr. Smith to research "Magic Mushrooms" and alternative issues. The internet information was sketchy, and in Mr. Smith’s words, "rather dangerous".
After long research, Mr. Smith came across https://www.facebook.com/justuspod/ who was a team who were able to discuss their skill and experience in the area. Collectively, Julian, Andrew and Harley were very helpful. They discussed public issues concerning non-prescribed drugs, suicide rates, depression, bullying, hate, transgender and issues known to the public. Many of the terms used were unfamiliar to Mr. Smith.
As an interesting test he thought he would look at the silent steps leading up to these events. He found the use and misuse of non-prescribed drugs like Magic Mushrooms, silence to parents, bullying and cyber-bullying as all contributing factors. Upon researching the topic, he asked the group to discuss their view, openly without fear or favour.
Mr. Smith was lucky enough to meet with the host Julian, and guests Andrew and Harley in person, specifically to discuss the experience they had in episode 3 involving "Magic Mushrooms" and the dangers associated with them. However, the interview went beyond that. They discussed the systemic issue, being society seems to wait before acknowledging critical early signs before it is too late.
In directing a question to Julian, Mr. Smith asked for his comments in light of the fact that as to why young people withhold information from their parents too often, and why they do not often discuss bullying, which can and has led to suicide and further unintentional deaths from the taking of the wrong non-prescribed "home-made" drug. Julian stated, "Having an open dialogue is ‘the’ most important thing when it comes to these drugs, being non-subjective about it and not having an agenda."
Andrew concurred. In reference to rave drugs, he stated that hiding "rave drugs" from sniffer dogs was not constructive, and there should be more effort on educating people on how to make things safer instead. In relation to ecstasy and amphetamines and the risk of poisoning, Andrew stated that the "testing kits at the rave parties should not be illegal" as people are "going to do it regardless" and "people are going to explore it on their own terms".
Julian agreed and stated that the knowledge comes from the home and family structure. At home his group of friends were able to "drink alcohol at the age of 15 instead of sneaking out and doing it on the streets". He reiterated that, "making things illegal these days does not seem to be helping anyone", and that "open dialog about these issues is so important".
Mr. Smith mentioned that people could potentially make a mistake and take non-prescribed drugs the wrong way and there is a real risk. Andrew further said that "people turn to drugs as a form of escapism and also as a coping mechanism". In relation to children, Mr Smith asked how they would deal with a situation if they knew their child was going out to get "non-prescribed drugs" instead of doing it at home. Andrew said "ultimately everyone is responsible for their own decisions" and that if they are able to "have a conversation about it, they are able to weigh up the risks".
Julian said, cannabis, alcohol or mushrooms would be ok in his view - he would have an open dialog with his child and essentially "guide them through it" as sought of a "sober anchor". Andrew agreed, stating he would rather sit with his child assisting, instead of stopping it because ultimately, "it will happen anyway". Andrew said he was lucky enough to be able to "talk to his parents about anything and not hide anything". He said they all "share education and experiences with each other". He also said he would be a lot more comfortable doing "something that is natural". Andrew learnt by "research" and Julian learnt by "multiple opinions and friends who helped each other out." In reference to Magic Mushrooms, Andrew said you need to "experiment with the atmosphere when you’re on it - and you must have a guide."
One message that came through strong and clear is that the focus is to look at the cause as to "why the person are self-medicating" Andrew said. He further said, "mental illness" is a major factor, and drew reference to both his current and former partner where the doctors just "did not get it". Andrew, being a healthy-looking professionally dressed real estate agent expressed no problem with the taking of such non-prescribed drugs, and states that it has not interfered in his professional role and obligations both as a father and a real estate agent.
"It was obvious by the end of the interview nobody endorsed the use of illegal drugs but endorsed openness between families", Mr. Smith said. All podcasts can be found on iTunes and SoundCloud.
In directing a question to Julian, Mr. Smith asked for his comments in light of the fact that as to why young people withhold information from their parents too often, and why they do not often discuss bullying, which can and has led to suicide and further unintentional deaths from the taking of the wrong non-prescribed "home-made" drug. Julian stated, "Having an open dialogue is ‘the’ most important thing when it comes to these drugs, being non-subjective about it and not having an agenda."
Andrew concurred. In reference to rave drugs, he stated that hiding "rave drugs" from sniffer dogs was not constructive, and there should be more effort on educating people on how to make things safer instead. In relation to ecstasy and amphetamines and the risk of poisoning, Andrew stated that the "testing kits at the rave parties should not be illegal" as people are "going to do it regardless" and "people are going to explore it on their own terms".
Julian agreed and stated that the knowledge comes from the home and family structure. At home his group of friends were able to "drink alcohol at the age of 15 instead of sneaking out and doing it on the streets". He reiterated that, "making things illegal these days does not seem to be helping anyone", and that "open dialog about these issues is so important".
Mr. Smith mentioned that people could potentially make a mistake and take non-prescribed drugs the wrong way and there is a real risk. Andrew further said that "people turn to drugs as a form of escapism and also as a coping mechanism". In relation to children, Mr Smith asked how they would deal with a situation if they knew their child was going out to get "non-prescribed drugs" instead of doing it at home. Andrew said "ultimately everyone is responsible for their own decisions" and that if they are able to "have a conversation about it, they are able to weigh up the risks".
Julian said, cannabis, alcohol or mushrooms would be ok in his view - he would have an open dialog with his child and essentially "guide them through it" as sought of a "sober anchor". Andrew agreed, stating he would rather sit with his child assisting, instead of stopping it because ultimately, "it will happen anyway". Andrew said he was lucky enough to be able to "talk to his parents about anything and not hide anything". He said they all "share education and experiences with each other". He also said he would be a lot more comfortable doing "something that is natural". Andrew learnt by "research" and Julian learnt by "multiple opinions and friends who helped each other out." In reference to Magic Mushrooms, Andrew said you need to "experiment with the atmosphere when you’re on it - and you must have a guide."
One message that came through strong and clear is that the focus is to look at the cause as to "why the person are self-medicating" Andrew said. He further said, "mental illness" is a major factor, and drew reference to both his current and former partner where the doctors just "did not get it". Andrew, being a healthy-looking professionally dressed real estate agent expressed no problem with the taking of such non-prescribed drugs, and states that it has not interfered in his professional role and obligations both as a father and a real estate agent.
"It was obvious by the end of the interview nobody endorsed the use of illegal drugs but endorsed openness between families", Mr. Smith said. All podcasts can be found on iTunes and SoundCloud.
Simon recommends youth suffering from depression call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, talk to parents, friends, but do "not experiment with anything foreign or given to you that is unknown".
— Simon Smith aka eVestigator
Special thanks to the team at JustUs Podcast.
Cyberbullying Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJJ5HDikDZM